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Title: The Basque History of the World by Mark Kurlansky ISBN: 0-14-029851-7 Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: February, 2001 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.54 (54 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: An excellent, entertaining read
Comment: The Basque History of the World is a fascinating piece that describes from many angles the life and character of the Basque people. Readers like myself may be surprised to find out that Europe as a whole is a continent of conquered peoples, and that a few groups like the Basques have managed to survive and perpetuate their beautiful culture into the present. An interesting historical narrative is offset nicely by recipes, poetry, etc. I was even inspired by this book to order alubias de tolosa and guindilla peppers from Spain to cook some of the recipes. On the whole, I would say this book is a valuable contribution to making sure people know who the Basques are, and why they are who they are today. It is also an excellent history of a fascinating people from every angle of their lifestyle. I highly recommend this book.
Rating: 4
Summary: Good book, politics unavoidable
Comment: This is a good introduction to the Basques, a nation split between Spain and France. The book goes into many aspects of Basque life, from cooking to economics, but what appears to have engaged the attention of most people is its approach to politics.
It's unavoidable, when writing about the Basques, to write about politics. Both Spain and France want to maintain control over their various parts of the Basque country in various ways. France does it in its own style, by suppressing the Basque language and the economy of the area and hoping the Basques will fade away. Spain tried hamfisted control under the fascism of Franco, but Basque nationalists continued to resist his government and assassinated his chosen successor, leading to the current democratic state in Spain. The Basque region was granted autonomy, though Navarre became its own autonomous region, apart from the other three Spanish provinces. The Francoists and their heirs (like Aznar and the PP) have been trying to keep the Basque country "in line" ever since. Kurlansky discusses how and why the Basque terrorists (ETA) and the government have been fighting ever since.
A lot of the political turmoil and assassinations (by both the Basque nationalists - ETA and the Spanish government - GAL) can be understood as a political "hangover" from Francoism. No one was ever tried for crimes under the dictatorship. All the members of the army who kidnapped, tortured, and murdered Spaniards are still around, slipping gently into retirement. Many of the political players in Franco's reign or their descendants rule Spain through the Popular Party. Judge Garzon is eager to try the crimes of Pinochet, but refuses to bring charges against torturers and murderers in Spain. Until the truth comes out and justice is done, the killing will continue on all sides.
Remember this: Spain is the only country in Europe to proudly display the swastika (Valley of the Fallen outside Madrid), and the only country in Europe that did not have trials over the events in World War II.
Rating: 5
Summary: Despite flaws this is a good book
Comment: Despite the fact this this is popular history this is a good read. Few books detail the Basques or their unique history and even fewer books are as illuminating as this one. From short histories of whaling to the birth of the Jesuit missionaries and other things this read is like a scroll of history. From detailing the odd and confounded Carlist wars to the Basque support of Republicanism, although they had nothing in common with the radical communists, and of course the modern issue of the ETA and the suppression of the Basques under Franco, this book seems to do it all. Immensely informative while not always willing to make judgment calls this book is still a must read. On par with other wonderful works like 1968 and 'The Chosen Few' this book also has great chapters on Basque food and the Basque language. Anyone will enjoy this book. The expert Spanish historian may have qualms with the authors slight bias but nevertheless this wide span of this book out-ways any criticism.
Seth J. Frantzman
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Title: Cod: A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World by Mark Kurlansky ISBN: 0140275010 Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: January, 2003 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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Title: Salt: A World History by Mark Kurlansky ISBN: 0142001619 Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: 28 January, 2003 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
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Title: A Book of the Basques (Basque Series) by Rodney Gallop, Marjorie Gallop, William A. Douglass ISBN: 0874173167 Publisher: Univ of Nevada Pr Pub. Date: August, 1998 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: Basque-English English-Basque Dictionary and Phrasebook by Joseph Conroy, Aitor Arana, Wim Jansen ISBN: 0781806224 Publisher: Hippocrene Books Pub. Date: December, 1998 List Price(USD): $11.95 |
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Title: The Potato : How the Humble Spud Rescued the Western World by Larry Zuckerman ISBN: 0865475784 Publisher: North Point Press Pub. Date: 25 October, 1999 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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